Process of and apparatus for distilling petroleum.



J. W, VAN DYKE & W. M. IRISH.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DlSTlLLlNG PETROLEUM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1914.

Patented June 15,- 1915.

M TILL I Illllllll.

I. l r i UNITED era-Ens Parana i.

JOHN W. VAN DYKE A ND WILLIAM M. IRISH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO THE ATLANTIC. REFININGCQM PANY,

VANIA, A. CO RPORA-TION OF: PENNSYLVANITA.

or PHILADELPHI PENNSYL rno'cnss or arm Arrm'rus-rofi DISTILLING PETROLEUM.-

Patented June 15, 1915.

Original application filed October 4,1909, Seria No- 520,937. Divided and this application flled my 6,

1914. Serial No. 8365696.

Pennsylvania, have invented certain new.

and useful Improvements iii-Processes of and Apparatus for Distilling Petroleum, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to the'distillation of petroleum in the form of an undistilled residue, the distillation being performed at the high temperatures necessary to evaporate hydrocarbons with boiling points above 600 F. or above the temperature of commencement of cracking when this-is below 600 F.; but the invention extends also to the distillation at such temperatures of petroleum in the form of a distillate and to the distillation of distillate and of undistilled petroleum at lower temperatures.

Each of the improvements composing the invention is intended to 'besecured for all the .uses to which it can be applied, with or without modification.

The object of the invention is to effect a more perfect separation from each other than heretofore of hydrocarbons which are evolved as a mass of mixed vapors and are then subjected to partial condensation, in order by such separation to obtain distillate which in its different portions shall be available for the respective uses of said portion, as far as possible, without redistillation of the same. Q

In the prior current practice the distillation of crude petroleum for'burning oil (kerosene) as the product has been performed in stills with their tops exposed (fully or with slight protection only) to the atmosphere for coqlin while the distillation for lubricant stoc as the primary (dis'- .tillate) product (or for lubricant stock and wax yielding material, when the petroleum is of a kind. to yield paraflin' wax) has been performed in stills (termed tar stills). which have their tops protected for keepin the vapors hot. Residual, oil from which" uming oil (kerosene) has been obtained has been transferred from said exposed top stills to said-tar stills with intermediate cooling, settling and storage and with Sub ectIon-of the residu'aloil to treatment withsulfuric acld or toother special treatment when required. In both of said forms of distillation a separation of hydrocarbons from each other bypartial condensation has been per formed, namely, for the mostpart at least, in; the still itself (whose exposed top forms a species of air cooled condenser) in the productlon of burning oil (kerosene), the va pors passing overwith little, if any, further condensat1on to a water cooled condenser and, for the most part at least, after the mixed vapors have left the stiH in the production of lubricant stock (or lubricant and wax yielding-material), the vapors passing over through a series of two air cooled condensers to a water cooled condenser. These air cooled. condensers have consisted each of a single pipe of large diameter inclined "upward and cooled merely by exposure to the atmosphere. The separatigfi oi hydrocarbons In sa d prior current pract ce has'been very lmperfect for varlous reasons. One

cause is the lack of control over the cooling efiect produced on the vapors.

7 While installations have diflered in the area and degree 'ofexposure of the air' cooled (condensing) walls, according to the views 8c of the manufacturer, the cooling efl'ect pro duced on the vapors with any given installation has been customarily controlled solely through regulation of the still fires. By

slackening these, evaporation in the still can be lessened; and as less heat is then imparted by the vapors to the condensing walls, the

latter thereupon fall in temperatureand so condense a larger proportion of the passing vapors (although the absolute volume condensed is smaller than before).- $y urging the fires, evaporation is increased; and said condensingwa-lls consequently rise in temperature and so condense a smaller proportion (but more'absolutely) of the evolved vapors. There are, however, variable conditions in a run, or in diiferent runs, due to the varying temperature of the air or other meteorologlcal conditions and to variations in the oil in distillation in a run or to be regulation of the fires at all times. The cooling also itself of the vapors has not been thorough in said prior current practice; nor has proper opportunity been afforded for interchange of hydrocarbons between the) condensate and the vapors.

Various proposals have been made for improving the separation of petroleum hydrocarbons by partial condensations of their mixed vapors; but in spite of them the prior current practice has been as stated. By reason of the imperfect separation, difi'erent cuts of distillate have contained hydrocarbons which, if not positively objectionable therein, could be more advantageously utilized as constituents of other cuts. For exwater white oil. In like manner the yield of.

lubricant stock (or of lubricant stock and wax yielding material) is diminished by imperfect separation; because this results in the first of the desired hydrocarbons being accompanied by hydrocarbons which are undesirable in such stock (or material). When, by reason of imperfect separation of hydrocarbons, a given out of distillate is unsuited to the use to which it can most profitably be applied, it has to be redistilled (at corresponding expense) in order to fit it therefor.

In accordance with the invention, the following general features are employed First, the body of vapors evolved in the still is divided into numerous streams which are sepa-' rated from one another by heat conducting walls; second, the vapors are cooled conductively by means of aeriform fluid flowing over said heat conducting walls; third, said cooling is regulated from time to time by alterations of cooling effect distinct from those produced by regulation of the still fires; fourth, the resulting condensate is brought into intimate contact with the vapors for interchange of hydrocarbons, and fifth, a part at least of such con'tact'is brought about while the vapors and condensate are protected against indirect cooling to the extent at least of the cooling by which the condensate is formed. The uncondensed part of the vapors passes on to one or more other condensers.

Special features, hereinafter set forth, are also employed.

While it is considered necessary to the best result that all of these features (gen-.

eral and special) should be used together; because the manner of cooling (including the feature of control or regulation thereof) modifies the composition of the vapors and the condensate between which hydrosult is due to the joint action of the cooling.

and the interchange; it is believed that advantage over the prior state of the art is obtainable with less than all of said features; and many omissions and other changes can, therefore, be made within the limits of the invention. Distillation in accordance with the present invention is primarily designed to be performed under atmospheric pressure and without introduction of steam or other aeriform fluid into the still; but working under other pressures (as under partial vacuum, for example) and with injection of steam or other aeriform fluid into the still, or with either of these features separately, may to some extent at least be employed, if so desired.

The invention comprises all and singular the new, useful and original parts, improvements and combinations herein claimed,

whether of process or of apparatus.

'view of a portion of the first condenser'of the series; Fig.3 is a diagram illustrating a modified form of the same condenser, and Fig. 4 is a detail view illustrating a relief valve for a pipe in a condenser of such modified form.

The mixed vapors are conveyed to the first condenser of the series by a pipe 72. from the still (not shown) which would best be well jacketed; so as to protect the vapors against undue cooling before they leave the still. Said condenser is in'the form of numerous pipes 2 arranged in parallel between header 3 and chamber 4. These pipes are cooled exteriorly; and in passing. through them the vapors flow between heat conducting walls (to wit, of said pipes 2) which are closely approached in comparison with the walls of a still of ordinary cheese box form or of ordinary horizontal cylindrical form. In Fig.1 the vapor outlet ends of these pipes are at a higher level than their vapor inlet ends; so that the condensate, which is formed in each pipe and'naturally runs downward, will flow oppositely to the corresponding stream of vapors. Inorder to equalize the flow of vapors among these pipes, the aggregate cross section of the passages at their narrowest points is proportioned with reference to the passage of the predetermined volume of vapors per unit of time under a predetermined pressure (figures found useful to be given later) and, in order that the streams may be longer exposed to cooling in pipes of given length, their average cross sections are made greater than those at said narrowest points and the lac outlet ends of said pipes are strictured (or made smaller than said average cross sec-.

in Fig. 3, in which the strictured outlet 5 is formed in the body of alight valve 6 which rests by its own weight over the'end of the pipe. There may be such a valve in each of said pipes; but the pressure could, of course, be released without having so many valves. While dimensions and proportions can be varied, good results have been attained for a still holding a thousand barrels of oil up to the usual level with an air cooled condenser having fifty six of the pipes 2, each eleven feet in length and four inches in external diameter (giving about 665 square feet of cooling surface on the closely approached heat conducting walls of pipes 2). A circular Vapor outlet opening 5 of an inch and a quarter diameter would suiiice for each pipe 2, the vapor-pipe 72. having an internal diameter of twelve inches and the valves 6 weighing about thirty three ounces each.

The pipes 2 are disposed for cooling by controllable currents of the aeriform cooling fluid flowing transversely to and longitudi nally of said pipes. The header 3 is annular and forms part of a passage for the cooling fluid in the middle of the group of pipes 2; while the top of the chamber 4 isa circular disk and obstructs such passage at its bottom; and the pipes 2 are inclosed in a casing 7 which fits around the header 3 at the top and has inlet openings 8 at the bottom for inflow of air from the surrounding atmosphere. Each inlet is provided with a valve 9, which can be opened, wholly or in part, or can be completely closed, as may be desired. Air currents are produced in the easing 7 by heat absorbed from the walls of pipes 2. The vapor pipe it leads from the still directly to the chamber 4 in Fig. 1.

This chamber is much deeper than a mere manifold or header (the depth represented being about three-fourths the length of pipes 2). It is provided with a non-conducting (or heat retainingljacket 10. In 1t,

resting on the grate 11, are pieces 12 of solid material, say cobble stones of four to eight inches in diameter. The condensate from pipes 2 flows down over said stones and is given by them a back and forth transverse motion; while the vapors which rise upward between them are similarly deflected; and thevapors then pass into the pipes 2 for cooling conductively in distinct streams of small diameter.

The vapor outlet of the air cooled partial condenser 2,3, 4.. is connected by pipe 13 with the vapor inlet of a second partial condenser 14 composed of numerous. pipes set between headers and exposed to the air for cooling.

The vapor outlet from condenser 14 is connected by pipe 15 with a water-cooled condenser, shown in the form of a coil 16 placed in a water tank 17, which is supported on walls 18 and cross beams 19.- Thus, as

shown, the vapors from the still flow successively through two partial condensers each of them cooled by aeriform fluid, and then through a water cooled condenser.

The liquid outlets 20 and 21 of the partial condensers are respectively connected through U traps with the water cooled draw-off pipes 22 and 23, placed in water tank 17. The water cooled draw-off 22 is valved and is connected with outlet 20 by means of a cross which also serves to connect said outlet with two other valved pipes 24 and 25 respectively, pipe 24 being a drawoff for condensate from the chamber 4 when said condensate becomes too thick to flow at the temperature of the water in tank 17, and pipe 25 being a run back leading to .the still. The pipe 24 is maintained at a higher temperature than the draw-off22. It may have such higher temperature merely because exposed to the air instead of being immersed in the water of tank 17 or additional means of securing higher temperatures can be provided. At 26 is a cover to exclude rain, in case the still stands out of doors; and the partial condenser 14 may well be similarly protected. A valved pipe 27 shown in dotted lines can be used as arun back, if deiired, between the condenser 14 and the sti The vapors generated in still pass by pipe It to chamber 4; and on reaching the top of said chamber4 they are divided into numerous streams, one for each of the pipes 2. These streams flow in parallel inside the closely approached heat conducting walls of said pipes and are severallysurrounded by aeriform fluid (atmospheric air) for cooling and are further equalized among themselves by the stricturing which they are given at their outlets by passage through the restricted openings 5 (Fig. 3). Should the pressure become excessive, one or more of the valves 6 rise and automatically release the pressure, the released vapors passing on to condenser 14. The vapors flow in opposite directions in pipes 2 to the corresponding streams ofcondensate formed by the cooling in the same; and a good opportunity for exchange of hydrocarbons between them is thus afiorded, more volatile hydrocarbons in' the condensate replacing less volatile in" the vapors.

The flow of the aeriform fluid transversely to and longitudinally of pipes 2 over and between the same tends to uniform and ellicient cooling of vapors Such currents con ement; while the coolin can be regulated by opening and closing t e valves .9.

spect'to the jacket on. chamber 4.

' The vapors in chamber 4 are brought into intimate contact with the condensate for interchange of hydrocarbons, while they are protected against indirect cooling. Useful but not so good results are obtainable without the pieces 12. The same is true with re- The present invention 1s "primarily designed for use in distilling petroleum as set forthin our application of October 4,1909, No. 520,937, which eventuated on September 16, 1913, in Patent 1,073,548 but the present invention is not restricted to such use; and, when so employed,' it forms but part of the features whose joint use is essential to the subject-matter of application 520,937 as restricted in accordancewith the oflicial requirement of division therein. Moreoyer, the processes and apparatusof application 520,937 can be realized (with advantage over the prior state of the art'and within the scope of the latter application) by the use of other known or suitable procedures and appliances of condensation, as

Well as by the procedures and appliances of condensation recited in the claims hereof.

One mode of distilling in accordance with our said application 520,937 involves a complete distillation of crude petroleum in a continuous run. In such distillation the still is supplied with the. proper charge of crude oil (say a thousandjbarrels). It is then heated by fires underneath to. vaporizing temperatures; and the heating is cont nuedwith gradual rise of temperature until the still contents become dry or nearly so, waxtailings (of a gravity equivalent to 10 B.

or heavier at 60 F.) coming over-as the last distillate.

While theoil in the still is attaining a temperature of say 600 F. the temperature in header 3 may well rise toabove 400 F. (480 F. was observed in a test-run) and as the oil in distillation rises above 600 F. (say, finally to 850 E, which has been ob-' served) the temperature in the header 3 would best be between 400 F. and 600 F.

(temperatures of from 470 F. to 607..F;

were observed in said test run) although near the end of the run the flow of vapors maybecome .so small that the tem rature in said header 3 would fall below 400 F.

' (317 was observed in said test run);

It will thus perceived that the partial condensation in said condenser 2, 3, 4 is effected at tem eratures above 212 ,F.; and hence an aeri orm fluid (inasmuch'as it can be heated to any desired degree) is better as a cooling agent than water would'be.

Another advantage of aeriform fiui'd over water (and,'in fact, over any liquid) is that the coolingis more gradual, owing in part at-least to lower specific heat; and hence the vapors in contact with the heat conducting walls maybe more nearly equal in temperature to those'in the middle of the paSS- ing streams of vapors. The best agent is atmospheric air; but the use of other aeriform fluids is not necessarily excluded.

The condensate formed in the condenser 2, 3, 4 is returned to the still during the earller partof the run, say until the oil in distillation reaches about700 F. (the run back 25 being then open and the draw-ofls 22 and 24 closed). Afterward the run back 25 is closed; and the condensate from condenser 2, 3, 4 is collected as distillate throughthe draw-offs 22 and '24, running through the former while it remains sufli-g viently fluid to do so. In the test run mentioned, while the draw oif 22 remained open, condensate representing more than half the vapors received during such period from vapor pipe h was collected as distillate bydraw-0H 22. It would seldom (if ever) be desired to effect the condensation in said condenser 2, 3, 4 of less than about 25% of the vapors passing through.

Separation from each other of the hydro ing on by pipe 13 are or are not subjected to further partial condensation. v

'As shown there is further partial condensation in-the air cooled condenser 14 of vapors from pipe 13 and a complete condensation (except very light products) in water cooled condenser 16 of vapors which escape condensation in the condenser 14. The condensate from this latter iscollected as distillate through the draw-ofi' 23; but if run back 27. should be provided (as indicated in dotted lines), such condensate could on occasion (say in' case it should be unsatisfactory as distillate) be returned by said run back to the still for re-evaporation.

The air inlet valves 9 would be more nearlyclosed at the beginning of each run,

when light hydrocarbons are being distilled, and also at the end of each run when the volume of vapors is comparatively small, than they would be during the intermediate part of the run. In other words, the currents of cooling Efluid are controlled to increasefand decrease in a general way the J cooling eflect on the vapors according to the varying volurne and temperature of the latter. Said air inlet valves 9 would also be closed more when the weather is cold or windy and less (if at all) when it is warm or still. The valves 9 can also be manipulated to counteract or to compensate for other variables. In general observation of the'streams from the respective condenser outlets, with test of samples if thought expedient, should give sufficient indications.

In the test run, herein above .referred to after bringingin the still, 147 barrels of.

distillate'were received from condenser 16 and 211 barrels from condenser 14 during the time (19 hours and 20 minutes) in which the oil in distillation was attainin 600 F., an average collection of distillate fi om both condensers of 184 barrels per hour. In the same run, 15 barrels of distillate were received from condenser 16. and 203 barrels from condenser 14 during "the time (18 hours) in which the oii in distillation was rising from 600 F. .to about 700 R, an averag collection of distillate of 12 barrels per hoiir. In the same run, 64 barrels of distillate were received from condenser 16 and 113 barrels from condenser 14 and 257 barrels from condenser 2, '3, 4 during the time (17 hours) in which the run was completed after the oil in distillation had attained about 700 R, an average collection during this period from the two condensers 16 and 14 (together) of 10%;, barrels per hour and from all three condensers of 254 barrels per hour.

In Fig. 3 a jacketed chamber 30 with pieces 12 of solid material loosely piled together receives the vapors from the still and is provided with the same run back and draw-off pipes 22, 24 and 25 as chamber 4.

From the upper part of said chamber 30 the vapors flow by pipe 31 into the annular header 32, which corresponds with the header 3 of Fig. 1, except that it now forms the inlet to pipes 2 instead of the outlet therefrom. The vapors being made to flow downward through the pipes 2 equalize themselves among the several streams therein, without requiring the latter to be limited in their aggregate cross section; because the tendency is to check the fiow of vapors through the hotter pipes; but strictured outlet openings and means for releasing pressure automatically can be used, as indicated (for example) in Fig. 5; in which a valve 33 having a restricted opening 34 therein is upheld by the slight pressure of a spring 35. The condensate from pipes 2 falls into pan 39 and flows by pipe 40 to the perforated annular pipe 36; which distributes it over the top of the loose pile of pieces 12. The vapors uncondensed in chamber 30 and p pes 2 pass through chamber 37 and ipe 38 into condenser 14; which correspon s with the similarly numbered part in Fig. 1.

In both arrangements opportunity is af-,

them into intimate contact with each other (in chamber -4 or 30) while less exposed to indirect cooling than they are during the formation of said condensate (in pipes 2); and in both arrangements such protection against indirect cooling results from the joint use (first) of a heat retaining jacket applied to the chamber 4 or 30, and not to the pipes 2, (second) of a chamber 4 or 30 whose section transverse to the vapor flow is larger than that of each cooling pipe 2, and (third) of devices (stones) in said chamber 4 or-30 and not in the cooling pipes 2 for giving transverse movements back and forth to fluid passing through the same. But by the use of any one or two only of these three features, and even by othersuitable dispositions, the vapors and condensate could be brought into intimate contact with each other while less exposed to indirect cooling than they are during the formation of condensate. The condensate may advantageously be brought also into intimate contact with the oppositely flowing vapors (as it is in pipes 2 of Fig. 1) during the cooling by which condensate is formed.

The pipe at is normally closed, but is opened for a short time at the end of the run to allow the vapors to be expelled by steam from the still in accordance with an invention of ours which was originally claimed in our said application of October 4, 1909, No. 520,937 and is now claimed in Patent 1,095,438, issued May 5, 1914, onour divisional application of April 18, 1911, No. 621,905, the-division being made solely in consequence of official requirement.

The application for the present patent is a division and combination of our application 621,904 of April 18, 1911, being filed in consequence of oificial requirement of division. Our said application 621,904 (and consequently the application for this resent patent also) is a division and continuation of our herein above first mentioned application 520,937 of October 4, 1909; which 110 was divided in accordance with ofiicial requirement.

Our claims in said application 621,904 cover each of them a fractional condenser for separating hydrocarbons from each 115 other in distilling petroleum and are also further distinguished from our claims herein by the recital in each claim of said application 621,904 of one or more features not recited in our claims herein and not neces- 120 s'arily em loyed in carrying out the sub ectmatter 0 any claim herein.

We claim heiein as our invention or discovery: I,

1. The improvement in distilling petro- 25 leum, consistin in heating the petroleum to be distilled, primarily petroleum in a form which consists at least largely of hydrocarbons with boiling points of about or above 600 F, to the temperature necessary. 1%

vapors whose temperatureis higher than that of said condensate for interchange of hydrocarbons between them, effectin part at least of said interchange while sai condensate and said vapors are less exposed to indirect cooling than were the vapors from which the condensate had previously been formed, and withdrawing the condensate, substantially as described.

2. The improvement In distilling-petroleum, consistin in heating the petroleum to be distilled, primarily petroleum in a form which consists at least largely of hydrocarbons with boiling points of about or above 600 F., tothe temperatures necessary to evaporate the component hydrocarbons thereof, dividing the body of evolved vapors into numerous streams separated from each other by heat conducting walls, cooling said vapors by laterally confined currents of aeriform fluid flowlng over said walls and between saidst'reams sufiiciently to condense a large part of said vapors, not less than about twenty five per cent. thereof, and not leum, consistin in heating the petroleum to sufiiciently to reduce the temperature of sai vapors as low as the boiling polnts of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., and withdrawing the condensate,

substantially as described.

7 3. The improvement in distilling petrobe distilled, primarily petroleum in a form which consists at least largely of hydrocarbons with boiling points of about or above 600 F., to the temperatures necessary to eva orate the. component hydrocarbons thereo dividing the body of evolved vapors into numerous streams separated from each other by heating conduct ng walls, causing said streams to flow in ascending directions in order that they may pass in op osite di-- rections in contact with retrogra ing con'- densatefor interchange of hydrocarbons be-- tween them, cooling said vapors by laterally confined currents of aeriform fluid flowingover said walls and between said streams sufiiciently tocondense a large part of said vapors, not less than about twenty five per cent. thereof, and not sufliciently to reduce the temperature ofsaid vapors as low as the boilingpoints of" lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., and

v withdrawinag the condensate, substantially as describe 1, The improvement in distilling petroleum consisting in heating'the petroleum to be distilled, primarily petroleum in a form which consists. at least largely of hydrocarbons with boiling points of about or above 600 F., to the temperatures necessary to evaporatethe-component hydrocar bons thereof, dividing the body of evolved vapors into numerous streamsv separated from each other by heat conducting walls, checking said streams in their flow in order to equalize the effects of cooling thereon, cooling said vapors by laterally confined currents of aeriform fluid flowing over said walls and between [said streams sufliciently to cpn'dense a large part of said vapors, not less than about twenty five per cent. thereof, and not sufliciently to reduce the t emperature' of said vapors as low; as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., and withdrawing the condensate, substantially as described.

Y 5. The improvement in distilling petroleum, consisting in heating the petroleum to be distilled, primarily petroleum in a form which consists at least largely of hydrocarbons with boiling points of about or above 600 .F., to the temperatures necessary to evaporate the component hydrocarbons thereof, dividing the body of evolved vapors into numerous streams separated from each other by heat conducting walls, stric turing said streams at their respective out-- lets in order thus to check them in their drawing the condensate, substantially as de-' scribed.

6. The improvement in distilling petroleum, consisting in heating the petroleum to bedistilled, primarily petroleum in a form which consists at least largely of hydrocarbons with boiling points of about or above 600 F., to-the temperatures necessar evaporate the component hydrocar ons thereof, dividing the body of evolved vapors into numerous streams separated from each other b heat conducting walls, cooling said vapors y laterally confined currents of aeriform fluid flowing over said walls and betweensaid streams sufiicientlyto condense -a large partof said vapors, not less than about twenty five er cent. thereof, and not sufficiently to re ace the temperature of said vapors as low as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., varying the cooling effect of said currents of aeriform fluid in order to vapors by laterally confined currents of aeriform fluid flowing over said walls and between said streams sufiiciently to condense a large part of'said vapors, not less than about twenty five per cent. thereof, and not sufliciently to reduce the temperature of said vapors. as low as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., bringing the condensate into intimate contact with vapors whose temperature is higher than that of said condensate for interchange of hydrocarbons between them, efiecting part at least of said interchange while said condensate and said vapors are less exposed to indirect cooling than were the vapors from which the condensate had previously been formed, and withdrawing the condensate, substantially as described.

8. Apparatus for distilling petroleum, consisting of means for heating the petroleum to be distilled, adapted to raise the temperature of the same to above 600 F..

and composed primarily of a fire heated box still, in combination with a fractional condenser arranged to receive vapors of the hydrocarbons evaporated by said means and to discharge the condensate formed from said vapors and the uncondensed vapors,

and including (1) a cooler portion hav-' ing condenslng surfaces of such area and effectiveness of cooling relatively to the capacity of said heating means as to condense a large part of said vapors, not less than about twenty five per cent. thereof, and not to reduce the temperature of said vapors as low as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., and (2) a warmer portion Whose contents still, in combination with a fractional condenser arranged to receive vapors of the hy drocarbons evaporated by said means and to dischargethe condensate formed from said vapors and the uncondensed vapors, and including appliances for dividing said vapors into numerous streams separated from each other by heat conducting walls and for causing lat'erally confined currents of aeriform cooling fluid to flow over said walls and between said streams, the condensing surfaces of said'walls being of such area and effectiveness of cooling relatively to the capacity of said heating means as to condense a large part of said vapors, not less than about twenty five per cent. thereof, and not to reduce the temperature of said vapors as low as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., substantially as described.

10. Apparatus for distilling petroleum, consisting of means for heating the petroleum to be'distilled, adapted to raise the temperature of the same to above 600 F. and composed primarily of a fire heated box still, in combination with a fractional condenser arranged to receive vapors of the hydrocarbons evaporated by said means and to discharge the condensate formedfrom said vapors and the uncondensed vapors, and including appliances for dividing said vapors into numerous streams separated from each other by heat conducting walls and flowing .in ascending directions in order thatthey may passin opposite directions in contact with retrograding condensate for inter change of hydrocarbons between them, and for causing laterally confined currents of aeriform cooling fluid to flow over said walls and between said streams the condensing surfaces of said walls being of such area and eifectiveness of cooling relatively to the capacity of said heating means as to condense a large part of said vapors, not less than about twenty five per cent. thereof, and not to reduce the temperaturerof said vapors as low as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212- F., substantially as described.

11. An apparatus for distilling petroleum, consisting of means for heating the petroleum to "be distilled, adapted to raise the temperature of the same to above 600 F. and composed primarily of a fire heated box still, in combination with a fractional condenser arranged to receive vapors of the hydrocarbons evaporated by said means and to discharge the condensate formed from said vapors and the uncondensed vapors, and including a'ppliances' for dividing said vapors into numerous streams separated from each otherby heat conducting walls and for checking them in their flow in order to equalize the effects of coolin thereon, and for causing laterally confine currents densing surfaces of said walls being of such area and effectiveness of cooling relatively to thecap'acity of said heating means as to condense a large part of said vapors, not

, less than about twenty five per cent. thereof,

and not to reduce the temperature of said vapors as low as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., substantially as described.'

12. Apparatus for distilling petroleum,

consisting of means for heating the petroleum to be distilled, adapted to raise the temperature of the same to above 600 F. and composed primarily of a fire heated box still, in combination with a fractional condenser arranged to receive vapors of the hydrocarbon evaporated by'said ,means and to discharge the condensate formed from said vapors and the uncondensed vapors, and including appliances for dividing said vapors mto numerous streams separated from each other by heatconducting, walls and for stricturing said streams in order thus to check them in. their flow and so to equalize the elfccts of cooling thereon, and for causing laterally confined currents of aeri form cooling fluid to flow over said walls and between said streams, the condensing surfaces of said walls being of such area and effectiveness of cooling relatively to the capacity of said heating means as to condense a large part of said vapors, not less than about twenty five per cent. thereof, and not to reduce the temperature of said'vapors as low as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., substantiallyas described.

13. Apparatus for distilling petroleum,

' consisting of means for heating the petroleum to be distilled, adapted to raise the temperature of the same 'to above 600 F. and composed primarily. of a fire heated box still, in combination with a fractional. condenser arranged to receive vapors of the hydrocarbons evaporated by said means and" to discharge the condensate formed from said vapors and the uncondensed. vapors, and including appliances for dividing said vapors into numerous streams separated from each other by heat conducting walls,.

and for causing laterally confined currents )f aeriform cooling fluid to flow over said walls,- and between said streams, the conas low as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., and also including means for varyin the cooling elfect of said currents of aeri orm fluid in order to control the character of con vdensate by a regulation distinct from the management of said evaporating means, substantially as described.

14.- Apparatus for distilling petroleum,

7 consisting of means for heating the petroleum to be distilled, adapted to raise the temperature of the same to above 600 F. and composed primarily of a fire heated box still, in combination with a fractional con- I denser arranged to receive vapors of the hydrocarbons evaporated by said means and to discharge the condensate formed from said vapors and the uncondensed vapors, and including appliances for dividing said vapors into numerous streams separated from each other by heat conducting walls, and for causing laterally confined currents of aeriform cooling fluid to flow over said walls and between said streams, the condensin surfaces of said walls being of such area and effectiveness of cooling relatively to the capacity of said heating means as to condense a large part of said vaporsynot less than about twenty five percent. thereof, and

' not to reduce the temperature of said vapors as low as the boiling points of lighter components of said vapors, not so low as 212 F., and, also including a chamber whose contents are less exposed to conductive cooling than the vapors in said streams and in which the condensate is brought intointimate contact with vapors whose temperature is higher than that of said condensate for interchange of hydrocarbons, between them;

substantially as described.

Intestimony whereof we afilx our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN W. VAN DYKE. WILLIAM M. IRISH. Witnesses:

H. A. ELLIS,

E. J. HENRY.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,143,466, granted June 15, 1915, upon the application of'John W. Van Dyke and William M. Irish, of Philadelphia; Pennsylvania, for an improvement in Processes of and Apparatus for Distilling Petroleum, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 103, for the word combination read continuation; page 7, line 105, after the Word streams insert a comma; same page, line 115, strike out the article An and commence the Word apparatus with a capital A; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform ,to the record of the case in the PatentOffice.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of August, A. D. 1915.

R. F. WHITEHEAD, I Acting Commissioner of Patents.

[SEAL] 

